Saturday, February 6, 2010

Discussing Second Life in Real Life 2

Some time ago, I discussed some of the more interesting moments when talking about Second Life in real life (link). A few more things have happened since then.

Friends
of mine have mentioned a few stories. One college student moaned that
during high school, his classmates then considered him a freak for
hanging out here. Others described showing it to friends and family, who
didn't always get it. One of the more inspiring stories was about one
friend. In real life, she's bound to a wheelchair. She once talked to
some online friends about her wheelchair getting a little worn. Some
time later, she received a check in the mail, enough to get her the new
wheelchair she wanted.

From me, a few more stories. One neighbor
of mine asked about the people I meet on Second Life. I mentioned some,
but what got her attention were the people with disabilities, such as
being unable to walk in real life, but getting about with ease here.
Another was one former friend whom in real life had lost her voice due
to cancer, but was able to converse normally here. My neighbor told me
it sounded interesting, and would go there if she had a computer.

And
some of my discussions end up with comical twists. Word had spread at
my workplace during the last election that I write for an online
newspaper. They still ask me about it a little, though are usually more
interested in Facebook and Farmville than Second Life. One lady and I
talked a little about how you could modify your character to look more
or less like you want it to, whether to something like the user, a
science-fiction exotic, or a glamour girl. The lady happened to be
noticeably thin, and later on while talking, commented aloud she wouldn't
mind having a larger backside. I grinned, "You realize this is the first
time outside of Second Life anyone's talked to me about getting a bigger
behind?" We both had a good laugh out of it.

Another day, another
coworker asked about the online paper, then hearing it was about goings
on in Second Life asked about that. I described it some. Then he asked,
Could you have sex with the girls there? I was a little surprised that
hed bring that up, though this coworker did like to talk about the seedy
side of life. I answered, "Well, you could engage in, virtual intimacy
with a girl there if you wanted, and there are a few places that cater
to that sort of thing. But just a few. Most people are there for other
things." He then grinned, "Have you ever done that?" My answer, "Um, I did
tell you I go about there as a humanoid fox in a reporter's outfit. Do
you imagine me going about with the ladies there as that?" Apparently
either he could or he wasn't listening, as his next few comments were
that what I needed was a little noogie, even if just online.

I could have mentioned a few places I got brought to by friends or by accident, but it was probably best I didn't.